President Abe then presented a Red Badges and Rotary Member pins to new member Peter Danjczek. Peter Danjczek is former President of the DC Rotaract Club. President Abe also announced Bob Johnson as a new member, who will receive his badge at a future meeting. Welcome to our club, Peter and Bob!

Marilyn Nevy Cruz announced the incoming president of the Rotaract Club and Rotarians took a moment to acknowledge and thank Rotaract Club for their continued involvement.

Jennifer Hara announced the Foundation President’s Club Reception will be held the week of July 17. Everyone who donated to the Foundation of an amount of over $350 should have received an email on the details regarding the reception.

Steve Liston cordially introduced the guest speaker, General John R. Allen. John R. Allen is a retired U.S. Marine Corps four-star general and former commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. Prior to joining Brookings as senior fellow and co-director of the Center for 21st Century Security and Intelligence, Allen served as special presidential envoy to the global coalition to counter ISIL, a position he held for 14 months. Immediately following retirement from the Marine Corps, Allen was the senior advisor to the secretary of defense on Middle East Security, and in that role he led the security dialogue with Israel and the Palestinian Authority for 15 months within the Middle East peace process. Allen is now chair of security and strategy and a distinguished fellow in residence in the Center for 21st Century Security and Intelligence in the Foreign Policy program at Brookings.

General Allen spoke about addressing terrorism, specifically ISIS. He began by describing the challenges growing out of the Syrian war and Arab Spring – leading to the broad collapse of Arab ruling and displacement of over two million people and leaving 500,000 people dead.

Challenges around the Islamic State consist of three elements:

The core Daesh – the core independent terrorist group overtaking territories, fighters, and resources. The Daesh came to power when it split from the parent organization, Al Qaeda.

Provincial Islamic State – Thousands of fighters from around the world are crusading to fight for the Islamic State – Jihadist organizations formulated around the world. Over 65 nations around the world work locally to fight against these jihadists.

The Internet –The internet is connecting ideas, finances, and weapons through linear networks. The Daesh has been able to recruit people all over the world. The United States alone cannot defeat the global efforts. Homeland Security and the Department of Defense are working closely together to prevent attacks nationally and internationally.

Finally, General Allen mentioned that the major challenge comes when the reservoir of extremists have no hope for their future and therefore are willing to sacrifice their lives. The war with ISIS will continue to be a generational war.

The United States needs to be strategic on economic and political fronts to prepare for this ongoing war.

Q: Has the U.S. Presidents relationship with Russia helped or hindered our global status?

A: Russia has been a culprit of disturbing relationships across the world, specifically looking at the Ukraine. Russia is currently supporting international dictators. Russia is threatening NATOs global position. NATO needs to adapt the Russia and South America. Russian hackers are affecting the United States, but they are also largely influencing European elections.

Q: What is the Middle East doing about the Islamic State?

A: It depends on which country is at play. Back during the Arab Spring, the youth bulg was the heightened. When you look at the Middle East, the cold war between Saudi Arabia and Iraq is a challenge with all Middle East countries. In some cases the Arab states are supporting efforts against ISIS, some are not. After 2016, when Russia became involved in war efforts, the United States realized we would not fully defeat ISIS. There will be more competition between the Saudi coalition and the Iraqi coalition.

President Abe thanked General Allen for speaking and invited him back to speak again at Rotary. General Allen thanked Rotary for having him speak and said he would be glad to return. President Abe then presented General Allan with his tree certificate.

President Abe then introduced Astrid Durand-Viel as a Rotaract member from Toulouse Purpan, France and exchanged flags.

Laura Khor ran the raffle for the week. Former President Ross Grantham won the small pot, but the large pot continues to grow!

Hospitality was run by Kenneth Brown. The Greeter was Scott Love.

Next week's meeting will be the first club assembly for the new Rotary year. We will also celebrate our club's 105th birthday with a champagne toast, courtesy of the University Club.

President Abe adjourned the weekly meeting with final thanks and remarks at 1:30 p.m.